Steering device for wheeled vehicles.



No."841,991'. PATENTED JAN.1 22, 1907'.

STEERING DEVICE POR WHEELED VEHIGLES. APPLIUATION r'mm AUG.5.1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. v

ulnnnnunnnm 1 gym J. W. LOVE. STEERING DEVICE FOR WHEELED'VEHIGLBS. APPLIUATIDNTILED 116.5. 1905'.

PATBNTED JAN. z2, 1907.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lum/ron l mama/si Ta ali whom 1 inveniionreiaes tv'viieeiii abide-5;"-

L' construction 'and combinations lof .parts morev vparticularly described hereinafterand point- Yed out in the claims.

Texas," ha f invent' 'il hewfiandnailm' 'Stee iieviceifor Wheeled' vehic [est UNITED* STATES;

No. siii-,991: j

description.` -s

aiid'it consists, substantially', iii the details Of'v The invention has reference morecespe-f cially to steering devices for wheeled vehic es,l such as civiltivators, planters, sulky-plows, grain-drills,` andthe like; and one o f the priny cipal objects thereofis to overcome numerous disadvantagesy and 'objections frequently encounteredin the .use of other contrivances or structures'hitherto devised for similar pur- A further'objectis to provide devices for enablingjthe Wheels 'of `a vehicle of any of the gyrpes referred t0 to be readily shifted in either ection in conformity with varying requirements of use of the vehicle in the field-as, for

instance, when effecting either long or short turnings'v thereof, either at the end of a roW or when turning .the vehicle to effectively operate the same in its return over the field.

A still further object is to providedevices of this kind which 'are simple in their embodi- The above and additional ment and comparatively inexpensive to mai'iufacture and'which are eiective and reliable in use, besides possessing the capacity for' long and repeated service.

object-s are atl tained byjnieaiis substantiallysuch as are illustratedfinthe accompanying drawings,

orining a partA of this specificatiomin which f similar characters of reference indicatecorrespending parts invall the views.

' Figure 1 i" atopplan'view of'steering devices for'fvehicles embodying my improve' ment-s. Fig. 2' is asimilar view with parts v 'broken vafvvfay and. illustrating i the'fmanner in' which the devices are operatedfor'eifecting a j shift-in for turning of the Wheels of 'a vehicle.l

longitudinal sectionalviewfon the line 4 4 ofl 1." Fig. 5fisaplan v iew ofthe seat.

3 isa rear-' endelevation, and Fig'. 4'is` a o re proceeding with a more detaile'dde-v 'A l"scifip'tion itl majlbe statedf that in the forni of .1 truck`of. ordinary construction, which may my improvements hereinl shown I employ a special l'means directly associated -with v'the s ecial means directly associated with part of 't `e s ecial meansjrst referred to for elfect ingvt e -same resulta Thesaidnlastnamed charge of the vehicleor cultivating operations in the field, and while I have hereinV repcourse2 thatl I am' not limited theretfoii'ijprecise detail, since immaterial changes therein of my invention.

ferred to ina general Way are'adap'ted for co-v o eration with each other and are also capabe more particularly'explained. In other the operative may also in themselvesbe sufcient Vfor the purpose of steering the vehicle;

hand, there' are certain conditions under which the-cultivation planter, pl`o W ,'-or the like may be operated, which for the purpose turning .the saine may render it desirable that vboth sets 'of the devices referred tobe employed coperatively; Hence vmy invention Willvbe understood to comprehend; the' vrWell aseitlie'r'of them separately i Reference being had to the drawings by ;sents an axle, referably in tliefform of a fiat piece of meta' Tof' suitable lengthand other dimensions and secured te the ends of which resented my improvementsin a'certain pre ferred embodiment it will be understood',l of

b e of independent operation, accordinglyas may bedesired in use, "asl willl hereinafter underv some'circumstances.` On' 'the other combination of the two sets of. said devices as the designating-characters thereon, l-:repre rovements tongue. of-'the-'fvehicle byzwhicli the proper steeringiofthe wheelsl o the truckmay ac# complis'hed in either directionland also other s'4 ecial means are ladapted" to' -beVoperated either by the hand 'or foot'of the operative in -may be resorted vto lcoming the scope The-two sets oi devices hereinabovey rei ofviiior'e quickly and eiiectually swinging or upon which the lower end ol the vertical are hangers 2, constructed of pendent loops of metal, between the inner member 3 of' each of which and the opposite forward sur- 'faee portion of the said axle is secured the bent rearward extremity 4 of a member 5 of a rearwardly-extending horizontal frame the' forward extremities of which are secured in any suitable manner (not shown) to the sides of a longitudinally-extending timber 6.

Adj aeentto'each ot' the said hangers or pendent loops 2 is a vertically-disposed sleeve 7,

which 1s secured tothe said hanger or lo'op by I'neans of a metal strap S and fasteningnuts 9 for the ends thereof, a portion of the body of said sleeve being partially received within the space separating the two members of the hanger or loop. (See, for instance,

'dotted lines in Figs. 1 and-2.) In this way sleeve 7 rests in operation, while the upper part of 'the spindle has secured thereto in any suitable way, as by means of a set-screw 15, a split. collar 16, which is tightened upon the spindle bymeaus of the .screw at any dcslred'position vertically. Thus it will be seen that by loosening nuts 9 the hangers 2 may be raised or elevated upon the sleeves 7, and the frame of the vehicle will be raised or lowered correspondingly.

The upper surface of the timber 6 is preferably provided with a face-plate 17, provided in the rearward portion thereof with two orinore openings 1S and It), registering with 'corresponding openings 2O and '.21` formed through the timber, said face-plate L being secured in position by means oi a bolt Aclearly in Fig. 4. plate, by means of the saidl bolt 22,

22, passing through either set of the said mentioned openings, as indicated more Mounted upon the faceis al swing-plate 28, adapted to swing in either direetioirupon the said bolt, and which swingplate is provided with openings 24 and 25`1'or registering -with the aforesaid sets of openings just mentioned as being formed in the said timber 6 and face-plate 17. the swing-plate 23 is capable of longitudinal adjustmenteither forwardly or rearwardly of the vehicle by simply withdrawing the bolt- 22 after the removal of the fastening-nut 2-tX therefor on the under side of the timber 6. Secured to the forward end of the swinglate 23 is a transverse voire 25 the vertical P y In this 'way parallel members 2li ol' which are provided with corresponding vertically-disposed openings 27, while supported transversely ol' the frame of the vehicle is a headed rod 2h'. which is supported in openings therefor in the said vertical parallel members 26 of the yoke,

said rod having mounted thereon just within the vertical parallel members of the yoke the torward -tcrnnnals 29 oi' a vertreally-adjustable frame 30, the rearward terminals 31 of the side.A members of which are united together in any suitable way and extend somewhat beyond the hereiubcfore-mentioned axle' 1. rl`he said corresponding holes in the vertical parallel members of the said mentioned yoke are for the rece )tion t thev inwardly-bent forward terminals 31 o a vertically-swinging lever or frame 32, which extends rearwardly of the vehicle for any desired distance and which may be conveniently operated by either the hand or the foot of the operative, as and for the purpose hereinafter more particularly explained.

ecured to the upper surface of the hereinbetore-mentionezl swing-plate A23. by meansl of screws 33 or the like, is the base 34 oi'.a

.rearwardly-locatcz yoke, between the vertical parallel members 35 of which is located a vertically-movable block 36, which. is formed with i notch 3T, iu which are received portions of tl e lower edges .of the hereinbctore-mentidncd side members of said 'verticallyadjustable frame. Extending transversely across the upper edge of the said side members of the vertically-adjustable frame 3l) is a guide 3S, in which are received the parallel portions of the said vertieally-swinging lever or fra-me 32, and extending upwardly from the base' of the hereinbetorementioned rearwardly-located yoke is a screw-rod 39, on which the said block 3G is -slidably mounted. a. spring 4t) being interposed bctween the said block and the said base and surrounding the said rod, as shown in Fig. 3. This rod is provided at the upper portion thereof with a nut 41, by the proper manipulation of which the tension of the said spring -10 may be regulated to impart to the block a greater or less force in an upward direction, and thereby require a greater. or less pressure to he exerted downwardly upon the said adjustable frame 3i). by which lodepress the latter against the action ot the said spring. The construction and organization of the parts described are such that portions of the parallel side members of the verticallyswinging lever or frame are received in notches 41, formed in the lower edge of a transversely-extended member 42, having the ends thereof secured at 43, preferably to the forward face of the hereinbefore-mentioned axle 1 of the vehicle. Xormally the force of the spring 40, acting upon the under .surface of the block 36, is such a's to maintain (See, for instance, Figs. 1 and 2.),

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operated bythe operator located rearwardly the parallel side; l; members of the lever or the vehicle, either walking or seated upon the cultivator, planter, plow, or other vehicle, or else the same may be operated directly from thefoot of the operator, whichever is most convenient and best suited to the particular circumstances under which my improvements maybe employed.- Mounted I uponl the upper part of the saidscrew-rod 39 is a transversely-extending plate 42a, preferably curved downwardly .at the ends, so as to practically embrace the liereinbefoi'e-meiil tioned Side members of the vertically-adjust- -lss able frame, the adjusting-nut 41 for this screwhaving direct bearing on the upper surface of the said plate, thus to enable adjustments of the spring '40 to be more readily performed by the simple turning of t-lie nut in one direction or the other.

Secured between the hereinbefore-inentioned vertical parallel members 26 of the first-mentioned yoke on the swing-plate '.23 by means of the saine screws o r rivets 43 which secure the. base of the said yoketo the said swinglate is a plate 44 ,which extends beyond the sai base a suitable distance and is united with the 'swing-plate, near the forward edge thereof,by means' of pins 4.3, (preferably two in number,) while also secured in rigid position with reference'to boththe said plate 44 and the swing-plate 23 by means of the same screws or rivets 43 is an upwardly and rearwardly extending rigid member 46, pro- 'videdA in the horizontal portion 47 thereof with openings 48, disposed at suitable intervals from eachother longitudinally of the vehicle'.v The rearwardly and downwardly eX-\ 4tending extremity of this member is carried to a position substantiallyr directly in front of the hereinbefore-mentioned screw-rodv 39. -The'saidopenings 48' are for the reception of a pin 49 to hold in' position a transverse rod,

v50, provided at the ends thereof .with suitable openings adapted to-be brought into registry with corresoonding openings formed in parallel longitu inally-extending 4links 51, the rearward ends"` of which are provided with squared openings, in which are re 'eived tlie upper squared portions 52`of the hereinbefore-mentioned spindles 11 forthe wheels of the vehicle.` y s Extending through wardV part of the timber 6 .of the vehicle is a vertically-disposed bolt 53. which also exan,= opening in the fortends through a correspondingopening in' the said face-plate 17, as `Awellyas another -corres Ondine o eninvI in' anadditional swine-` plat-eA 54, ylocated va )ove .the face-plate and\ being normally in substantial aliiienient with the swing-plate 23', ,already `referred -;to..4 This swing-plate 54 Aissecured to .the under side of the rearward `portion 55 of the tongue of the vehicle by means of bolts 56,-

and securingnuts 57, and secured tothe inner end or extremity thereof is what I may terni a middle plate 58, .having formed in its rearward A`edge duplicate.

notches 59, in which are normally received the pins 45 hereinbefore referred tc. The said rearward portioii55- ofthe tongue is of course capable of being swung in either ldirec-tion horizontally within certain li `ts, as f will be understood, and any suitab *e'fdraft appliance may be employed in connection with the tongue-as indicated at 60, for instancefor attachment to the vehicle of the usual draft-animals for drawing the same.

From the foregoing description it isthoiight the construction of my improvements will be fully understood, and the operation `therei-.if may be described in a general way as follows: Under normal conditions, or

when thevehicle is beingy propelled in a direct line, the several elements or-members-of my improvements will be in the positions thereof indicated in Fig. 1. f Should it be de-` sired to swing the wheels ofthe vehicle in one direction or-the other to effect either a full'or partial turn of the vehicle, it is sniplynecessary to press the parallel membersofthe vertically-swinging frame 32in such a manner as to cause said members to become disen- ICO gaged from those of the notches 41,a within which they were seated, whereupon by ini parting the necessary lateral movement to either the tongue of the vehicle or the said vertically-swinging frame vthe desired action or result will be secured, as is apparent.v -By proper adjustment of the. parallel links with reference to lthe transverse bar the swinging or turning of the wheels may 'be caused t-o take place ou curves or arcs of circles ofv greater or less extent, according as may beA desired in practice, and-itwill be observed that the squared portions ofthe'said spindles 11 are provided therethrough with corresponding openings a for the reception of keys b for enabling the heights of the connections betwee said spindles and the transverse bar to be varied according to varia- -1 tions of vertical positions ofthe spindle sleevesor bearings therefor.` A

within the hereinbefore-nienticned vertical said-mentioned micidleplate 58 and rigidlyconnecting the tongue withits supports the f turning or swinging of the wheels may' be cally-swinging rame in the manner already .eftected by sim ly operating the said verti described and turning the same in one direc.- tion or the other, whereas under some conditions the said vertically-swinging frame and the parts direct-lv cooperating therewith may be dispensed with and the turning oi swinging of the wheels el'l'ected directly from the toV swing-plate of the vehicle. I employ both sets of devices herein referred to, .ho-Wever, since under certain conditions ofuse oi' the vehicle in the eld one set alone may not. be entirely adequate for a l'ullperfcrmance of y the int-ended functions of the structure.

The positions of the.;pa.its when turned in one direction or the other are shown in Fig. 2, it being understood that the pins 45 and notches 59 of the middle plate 5S cooperate iii furnishing working iulcra bet-Ween t'he two sets of steering devices as the ont` set or the other is caused to be turned in one direction or the other.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters l. In steering devices for vehicles, ot the vcharacter specified, the combination with a longitudinal timber. and alaterally-movable' i t oiiguc, of a frame extending rearwardly from longitudinal timber, and a laterallv-movablf` tongue, of' a frame extending rearwardly from thctiiiiber, an axle connectingfthe ,rearward ends of the frame, hanger-loops secured to the ends of the axle, vertically-disposed sleeves secured thereto, spindles turnable in the sleeves and carrying wheels for the vehicle, and means intermediate of the tongue and spindles 'for turning the Wheels in c.orre,

spondenc-e with movements imparted to the tongue in either direction, embodying swingplates and movableI fulcra between the two.

3. 'In .steering devices for vehicles, of the character specified, the combination with a longitudinal timber, and a laterally-movable tongue, of a frame extending rearwardly Jfrom the timber, an axle connect-ing the'rearward ends of the frame, hanger-loops secured to the. ends of the axle, vertically-disposed sleeves secured thereto, spindles turnable in thev sleeves and carrying wheels for the veo-hicle, and means intermediate of the tongue and spindle for turning the 'wheels in correspondence with movements imparted to the tongue in leither direction, embodying swingplates and a middle plate between the two, one of said swing-plates -carrying pins, and

the middle plate having notches receiving thel pins.

4 Iii steering devices for vehicles, of the ence with movements imparted to the tongue in either direction, embodying swing-plates and movable fulcra between the two', bothV of' said swing-plates being pivotally supported with reference to the timber, and one of theml being rigid with the rearward portion of the tongue.

5. In steering devices for vehicles, of the character specified, the combination with a longitudinal timber, and a laterally-movable tongue, of a frame extending rearwardly from the timber, an axle connecting the rearward ends of-the frame, hanger-loops secured to the ends of the axle, vertically-disposed sleeves secured thereto, spindles turnable iii the sleeves and carrying wheels for/the vehicle, and means intermediate of the tongue and spindles for turning the wheels in corree spondence with movements imparted to the tongue in either direction, embodying a pivf` y ote .transverse bar and links connecting the ends of the saine with said spindles. .f

6. In steeri devices for vehicles, of thecharacter spec' ed, the combination with a longitudinal timber, and a laterally-movable tongue, of a frame extending" rearwardly from the timber, an axle connectingthe rear- Ward ends of the frame, hanger-loops secured to the ends of the axle, vertically-dis osed -sleeves secured thereto, spindles lturna le in the sleeves and carrying wheels for the ve.

hiele, and means Vintermediate of the tongueand spindles for turning the wheels in correspondence with movements impart-ed to the ligue in' either direction, embodying a pivte ends of the same with said s indles, said bai' I vbeing adjustable 'longitud-ina lyof the timber and saidlinks havingmeans for adjusting them as to length, with reference to the bar.

7. In steeri character s eci ed, the combination with a longitudina timber, and a laterally-movable tongue, of a frame extending rearwardly from the timber, anaxle connecting the rearward ends of the frame, hangerloopssecured- Eto the ends of" the axle, vertically-dis osed'n transverse bar and links connectingthe 'ICO IOS

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devices for vehicles, of the f sleeves secured thereto, spindles turna le. in v the sleeves and carrying wheels for the vehicle, and means intermediate of the tongue and s indles for turning the Wheels in correspon ence with movements impartedv to the tongue in` her Hong einbodyinga pivo t-fv ed transverse? bar' and, links connecting tlhej dies) lh@ IiP- per-"ends of the? spindles v ,efi'ft'fh` squared, `-ng'transver'se. holestherein, and pro-` h said'spi ends ofthe saine vided with Jal"fasteninglpin"for" links, whereby the heightlof the links 'relatively 4to the Ispincvll'esma-y.be varied. l

'8.l In vsteering devices for vehicles, of vthe character specitied, the combination 'with a longitudinal ltimbeigand a tongue 'pivotcd thereonto have lateral movement in either direction, ot a frame extending rearwardly from the timber, a swing-plate above the rearward portion of the timber, a forward yoke and a rearward yoke, each rigid with the swinglate, a vertically-movable frame supported y the forward yoke, a vertically# swinging frame pivoted to .members of this yoke, a horizontal member rigid with and ex tending rearwardly from the forward yoke, a

transverse bar pivoted jupon the forward yoke, sup orting-wheelsI and vertical spindles there 'or, links movably connect-ing said s indles with said bar, a transverse member isposed between the wheels, and having notches therein, for receiving portions of said vertically-swinging frame, and means for exerting )ressure upon this frame, tending to force sucli portions into the notches.

9. In steering devices for vehicles, of the character specitied,the combination with a longitudinaltimber, anda Longue pivoted thereon to have lateral movement in veither 'direct-ion, of a frame extending rearwardly supported y the forward yoke,`a vertically--- swinging frame pivoted to members of this yoke, a horizontal member rigid with and lextending rearwardly from t-lie forward yoke,

a transverse bar pivoted uponthe forward yoke, supporting-wheels and vertical spindles therefor, links movably connecting said s indles with said bar, a transverse member sposed between the wheels, and having notches therein, for receiving portions of said vertically-swinging frame, and means for exerting pressure upon this frame, tending to force such portions into the notches, embodying a screw-pin'supported by the rearward yoke, avert-ically-siidable block thereon, notched to receive ort-ions of the said screw-pin, and a nut an a plate for regulating the tension thereof.

10. In steering devices for vehicles, ot' the character specified, the combination with a longitudinal timber, and a tongue pivoted thereon to have lateral movement in either direction, of a frame extending rearwardly from the timber, a swing-plate above the rearward portion of the timber, a forward 'yoke and a rearward yoke, each rigid with plate,

lile .traina supporte' by the forward'yoka vertically/f l 'swinging frame "pivote einbersof ,this y yoke, ,a horizontal niembe igit'lfrswitliy ai id extending -frearwardiy'lzirpi the y 'reke' 'a trrerse br ypiratedilioe- 1h ward voke, supporting-wheels ,and veizti .spindles therefor, links mov Iypfiiinecting said spindles with said A y member disposed betweentliewilieels, u

having notches therein, for` receiving tions of said vcrtically-swinging ,-i'raiiie, rand means for exerting pressure@ ,upon this.

frame, tending to torce suchportioiis into (the l1. ln steering devices for vehicles, ol thecharacter specified, the combination with a longitudinal timber, and a laterally-movable tongue, of a trame extending rearwardly from `the timber, an axle connect-ing the rearward ends of the frame, hanger-loops secured to the ends ot the axle, vertically-disposed sleeves secured thereto, spindles turnable in the sleeves and carrying wheels for the vehicle, and means intermediate of the tongue aiid spindles l'or turning the wheels in correspondence with movements imparted to the tongue in either direction, portions of said sleeves being partially received between the outer edges ot said hanger-loops to prevent forward or rearward tilting of the sleeves.

l2. In steering devices for vehicles, of the characterspecified, the combination with a longitudinal timber, and a laterally-movable verse bar, links` movably connecting the'V same with said spindles, movable hilera between tne sw ing-plates, whereby the turning' ot the wheels may be ell'ected by turning the tongue in either direction, and means in connection willi the swing-plates whereby to manually turn thc wheels. y

13. In steering devices for vehicles, ot the character-specilied, the combination with a longitudinal timber, and a laterally-movable tongue, of a frame extending rearwardl irom the timber, two swing-plates, eac i mounted to turn laterally in either direction with reference to the timber, and one ot' them being bolted to the tongue, vertical spindles carrying supporting-wheels, a p ivotcd trans-- verse bar, links movably connecting the same with said spindles, movable vi'ulcra between the swing-plates, whereby the turning ofthe Wheels ma be effected by turning the tongue in either irection., and means in connection with the sWin '-plates whereby to manually turn the wheels. V'

14. -In steering devices for vehicles, of the A charactei` specified, the combination with a. longitudinal timber, and aAlaterally-movable tongue, of a frame extending rearwardly` .from the timber, twosWing-plates, each with said spindles, movable' fulcia between A the saving-plates, whereby the turning of the wheels. maybe effected by turning the tongue in either direction, and means in connection with the swin -plates whereby to manually turn the Whee s comprising a notched niember, ja vertically-swinging frame, and pressuedevices for the latter.

In testimony whereof 'I have signed my name to this specification in the'presence of two subscribing witnesses.

4JOHN WILLIAM LOVE.

lit-nesses:`

E. KIRBY,

JOHN H. MoRRow, 

